Sheila's Story

Sheila, a 44-year-old single mother of four, is no stranger to navigating adversity. Ten years ago, after going into labor early with her twin boys, she had to learn to navigate things a little differently than before. After giving birth to her sons, Sheila was rushed into brain surgery due to fluid on her brain pushing on her optic nerve. This left her legally blind in her left eye, with only a small amount of vision left in her right eye. Navigating life as a single mother became a little harder than before.

Through the Vision Rehabilitation Services Program, offered through Butler County United Way and Community Partner, Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Sheila was able to get herself back on her feet. Thanks to support groups, CABVI experts, and vision rehabilitation specialists, through this program Sheila learned to use low vision aides, like a telescope, magnifier, and CCTC to read her own mail and help the kids with their schoolwork. Adapted computer for email and Voice Over for her iPhone made technology accessible. Bump dots for her kitchen, a talking thermometer, and a white cane allowed her to navigate her home and neighborhood again.

Sheila says she is forever grateful to this program for helping her learn to see the world in a new way.

“Doors opened that I didn’t know existed. It was a whole new world. Now I operate in my own home like I can see. I am able to do so many things that I thought I could never do again.”

CABVI reports that 95% of adults receiving low vision services in their care in the last year said their quality of life has improved, and barriers have been removed.